NORFOLK, Virginia — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore fell to the Norfolk State University Spartans 62-52 on Saturday evening (Jan. 18) in their first road game in conference play.

"Norfolk State plays a very physical brand of basketball and their ability to rebound in spots was overwhelming," Hawks coach Jason Crafton said. "Their physicality won the game for them tonight so hats off to them, but I still think we did good things in spots now we have to learn how to close games out against an elite team like this."

The opening half was a back and forth affair. The score was tied five times and there was also five lead changes. Senior AJ Cheeseman (Snellville, Georgia) and redshirt junior Marlon Adams (Brooklyn, New York) led the charge for the Hawks in the first half as they combined for 15 of the team's 23 points before halftime. NSU held a 29-23 advantage at the break.

Norfolk State opened the second half with a 13-4 stretch to gain a 42-27 lead at the 14:34 mark. The Shore would answer with an 8-0 run over the next two minutes that ended with a layup from freshman Da'Shawn Phillip (Baltimore, Maryland) and forced a NSU timeout.

After the timeout, the Spartans were able to build their lead back up to double digits after five minutes of game action. The Shore would not get any closer than eight points for the remainder of the game as Norfolk State executed down the stretch and got their fourth straight conference win.

Cheeseman led all Hawks scorers with 15 points in the game. Adams and Phillip each had eight in the contest and Adams also led the squad in rebounding with five.

Tyrese Jenkins scored 19 points off the bench for Norfolk State to lead all scorers. Jermaine Bishop followed that up with 17.

The Hawks (2-17, 1-3 MEAC) will face South Carolina State in their furthest road game of the conference schedule on Monday (Jan. 20). That game will tip at 7:30 p.m.

"One of the beautiful things about our wild nonconference schedule is that we have been in this position before," Crafton said. "We have gotten on buses and traveled five or six hours and had to play so a long trip is just another day in the life for us."

For more information on Eastern Shore Athletics visit http://www.easternshorehawks.com/.